Cut Clutter In Your HomeThis Spring (NAPSA)—Thinkof it as spring editing. Substituting the e-word for the more dreaded c-word—“cleaning’—maybe the best mental trick ever devised for getting through the annual spring ritual of cutting clutter in your home, and it comes courtesy of the “Today” show’s home-makeover and organizational guru Elizabeth Mayhew. “Just lighten up so it’s not so overwhelming,” says Mayhew. “Go through yourclothes, your papers, your pantry and your purse so you The right tools can help you cut efficiently and with timeto spare.” ent colors that can be used to organize bills and separate tax papers. can get through your days more So what’s the best way to start editing? Mayhew, who’s appeared on the likes of “The View” and the “Dr. Phil” show, offers these timesaving tips: The Rule of FINDS Keep catalogs and magazines from piling up with Mayhew’s clutter quickly. You can even write on them to tab important work documents. Closet Control Make sure you edit your fall/winter clothes to make room for spring. Distinguish items that clutter-cutting weapon—Post-it you wear versus items that you will need to donate by “flagging” Stall). Mark items you may want to purchase or go back to with Post-it Flags. Take it as a sign remove the Post-it Flag. At the end of each season, items that are still marked with a Post-it Flag Flags—and what she calls the Rule of FINDS (Flag It Now, Don’t that anything you haven’t revisited after two weeks should be thrown in the circularfile. You can also use a Post-it Flag hangers with multicolored Post-it Flags. As you wear each item, should be donated. Sort sweaters, T-shirts and other folded clothing by color and always remove sweaters from Highlighter to stop bills from pil- hangers and fold them (hangers draw attention to key due dates time). Store sweaters on shelves in manageable-sized stacks using sweater dividers to keep them from turning into the Leaning Tower of ing up. This 2-in-1 tool helps you mark the date due on bills and then flag outstanding items even when on the go. Pinpoint and with multicolored Post-it Arrow Flags so bills are paid on time. File, Don’t Pile With people doing more work at home even if they don’t have what the IRS would consider an actual office, Mayhew turns to 2” Post-it Durable Tabs to organize and archive loose papers into binders and folders. They self-stick, are repositionable and comein differ- will ruin the shape of sweaters over Pisa. Kitchen Clutter 1” Post-it Durable Tabs are great for use in the kitchen. Use them to tab frequently referenced dishes in cookbooks. You can also color-code appetizers, entrees and desserts to create a three-course meal in a flash. For more tips and information, visit www.post-itflags.com.
